A SUCCESSFUL businessman has thanked medics on Teesside who saved his life.

Glen Cass, 36, who is originally from Teesside but has lived in Australia for nine years, was visiting his mum in Stokesley when he collapsed with a split aorta on New Year’s Day.

The life-threatening condition saw him undergo eight hours of open heart surgery and spend 12 days in Middlesbrough’s James Cook University Hospital, where he has nothing but praise for all staff, from nurses to surgeon Enoch Akowuah.

Describing the “freak” nature of his condition, Glen, who set up Wyn Recruitment which now has offices in Perth and Sydney, said: “There was no indication this would happen. I had high blood pressure, but treated that with tablets.

“We were going to York to meet up with the rest of the family, but I came over very light-headed. I passed out and told my mother I had chest pains.”

As Glen was taken to hospital by ambulance, he was “fading quite fast”.

“My aorta had burst and I had internal bleeding,” said Glen.

“It was a life-threatening situation. If I was in any other country, I would have been dead. Being here visiting family when it happened kept me alive.”

Boro fan Glen was so impressed with the treatment he received, he donated a flat screen TV to the day room on Ward 32. Generous Glen saw patients who could not afford the cost of paying for the bedside TVs and hoped they would benefit.

After making the donation, Glen said: “I died on New Year’s Day to all intents and purposes and it changes your priorities and your perspective. Before, I was bouncing through life thinking nothing could knock me off my perch. Now, I think I’ve got to grow up a bit and slow down!”